Knowledge of ASHA workers about maternal and child health services in Mysuru

B K Sugandha; Jagannath P

doi:10.17511/ijphr.2019.i4.06

Dr. B K Sugandha K S Hegde Medical Academy Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Dr. Jagannath P Head of the Department, Department of Public Health, K S Hegde Medical Academy Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17511/ijphr.2019.i4.06

Keywords: Accredited Social health Activist, Community Health Workers, Maternal and Child Health, National Health Mission, Knowledge

Abstract

Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) programme has been accepted, and the services utilization has been increased among many Indian communities since its inception in 2005 under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). ASHA worker's knowledge is important for the success of this program.

Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge of ASHA workers about Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services. To determine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and the level of knowledge of ASHA workers about Maternal and Child Health services.

Methods and Material: A cross sectional study was conducted among 295 ASHA workers of Mysuru Taluk, Karnataka from January to April 2019. Sample size was calculated based on the estimation of proportions method and all the ASHA workers were selected randomly. The semi-structured self-administered questionnaire formulated based on the ASHA modules and translated into the local language (Kannada) was used for data collection. Descriptive data was analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. For the association between variables, Chi-square / Fisher’s exact test was used.

Results: Knowledge about Antenatal Care was average among half (51.5%) of the participants. All the listed danger signs during pregnancy were identified only by 49.5% of ASHA workers. About 50% of the respondents were not aware of the exclusive breastfeeding till six months after birth.

Conclusions: Knowledge levels about maternal and child health services were found to be average in most of ASHA workers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Declaration of Alma-Ata [Internet]. Alma-Ata, USSR, 1978 Sep [cited 2019 Mar 18] Available from: http://www.euro.who.int/data/assets/pdf_file/0009/113877/ E93944.pdf.

2. Lehmann U, Sanders D. Community health workers: what do we know about them. The state of the evidence on programmes, activities, costs and impact on health outcomes of using community health workers. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2007:1-42.

3. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. About ASHA [Internet]. National Health Mission. 2014 Sep [cited 2018 Aug 23]. Available from: http://nhm.gov. in/ communitisation/asha/about-asha.html.

4. Desai PB. Role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAS) in the Improvement of Health Status of Villagers under NRHM in Kolhapur District, Maharashtra. J Com Med Health Edu. 2016; 6 (2): 1-12. doi: 10.4172/2161-0711.1000416

5. Nagaraj S, Achapppa S, Bettapa P. Performance Evaluation of Accredited Social Health Activist under National Rural Health Mission in Mysore District: A Cross-Sectional Study. Natl J Community Med. 2017; 8 (6): 324-328.

6. Bhanderi DJ, Varun AR, Sharma DB. Evaluation of accredited social health activists in Anand District of Gujarat. J Fam Med Prim care. 2018; 7(3): 571-576. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_207_17

7. Kori S, Bhatia M, Mishra A. A Cross-sectional Assessment of Knowledge of ASHA Workers. Journal of Krishna Inst Med Sci (JKIMSU). 2015; 4 (4):57-63.

8. Shashank Kj , Angadi M. A study to evaluate the knowledge of ASHA workers on antenatal and postnatal care in Bijapur district. Int J Res Med Sci. 2015;3(9): 2299-2302.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012. ijrms 20150620

9. Kohli C, Kishore J, Sharma S, Nayak H. Knowledge and practice of Accredited Social Health Activists for maternal healthcare delivery in Delhi. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015;4(3):359-363. doi: 10.4103/2249-4863. 161317.

10. Grover K, Khanna P, Kumar R, Verma R. Birth Preparedness and Knowledge of ASHAs regarding danger signs of pregnancy in rural India: A cross sectional study. Int J Res Dev Pharm L Sci.2017;6 (7): 2850-2855. doi: 10.21276/IJRDPL.2278-0238.2017. 6 (7). 2850-2855

11. Saxena S, Singh AK, Maheshwari S, Gupta SB. Appraisal of knowledge of ASHA regarding child health services provided under NHM in Bhojipura block, District Bareilly. Int J Comm Med Public Health. 2017;4(10):3705-3711. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/ 2394-6040.ijcmph20174237

12. Bansal SC, Nimbalkar SM, Shah NA, Shrivastav RS, Phatak AG. Evaluation of knowledge and skills of home based newborn care among Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA). Indian Pediat. 2016;53(8) : 689-691.

13. Ratnam AL, Kumaran JA. Awareness of family planning services among ASHA workers in a municipality of northern Kerala. Int J Comm Med Public Health. 2018; 5(8): 3413-3417. doi: 10.18203/ 2394-6040.ijcmph20183072

Instructions to Author	Editorial Policies	Website & Payment Policies	Downloads & Statistics
Scope of Journal	Copyright, Permission and Licensing Information	Article Processing Charges	Title Page
Author Guideline	Publication Ethics And Malpractice	Article Submission Charges	Copyright form
Conflict of Interest	Editorial Process	Waivers Policy	Cover Letter
Contribution Details	Plagiarism Policy	What we collect	Preparation of Manuscript
Authorship Criteria	Copy of Any Publication	Terms ans conditions	Check List
Online Submission of Manuscript	Peer Review Policy	Cancellation and refund	Past Publication Record
Types of Manuscripts and Limits	Clinical Trial Registry	Open Access Policy	Publisher Office
	Digital Archiving Policy	Privacy Statement	Disclaimer